A MUM-of-two who died from a rare cancer is set to be dissected on TV in British television first.
Toni Crews, 30, from Kent, offered her body to be used for medical research after losing her battle with adenocarcinoma in 2020.
Toni Crews had her eye removed in a bid to save her life after a tumour grew across her face
She was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in 2016
The mum-of-two wanted to raise awareness about her disease – even after death
Toni’s right eye was removed after a tumour formed in her tear glad
Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that begins in the lining of the glands inside an organ.
The disease can affect areas such as the colon, breasts, oesophagus, lungs, pancreas, or prostate.
Toni was diagnosed with the disease in 2016 after she began to suffer from blurred vision.
A tumour had developed in her tear gland and cancer had spread across her face, forcing her to have her right eye removed.
She made the decision to allow her body to be dissected in Channel 4’s programme My Dead Body which is set to air next month.
In the documentary, she revealed the journey behind making her decision and what it meant to her.
She said: “This gives me peace for the future”.
The mum-of-two will be heard narrating her own story from diary entries and letters she wrote through voice-replicating technology.
Professor Claire Smith head of anatomy at Brighton and Sussex Medical School will lead the research done on Toni’s body which will be shared with students, the Mirror reported.
Despite some apprehension with such a large audience, Prof Smith says the chance to educate others is a phenomenal opportunity.
She said: “We have been so privileged to explore the journey of cancer through the incredible donation made by Toni.
“As part of this documentary, we were able to invite more than 1,000 students, including nurses, paramedics and neuroscientists, who wouldn’t normally get to learn about this one in a million cancer.
“Toni’s gift of body donation doesn’t end with this documentary either.
“Her body will be used to educate our medical students and doctors for years to come.”
Channel 4 commissioning editor Anna Miralis said the film tells “one of the most intimate stories of all, how a young mum bravely fought for her life against a rare form of cancer”.
She said: “By donating her body to public display, the first of its kind in the UK, Toni Crews has given us an extraordinary and unique look into the journey of the disease.
“While the presence of her voice in the form of diary entries and letters and social media posts ensures the film is filled with all the warmth and generosity that characterised Toni’s inspiring life.”
She hopes her life will make a difference after her death
Toni was told the mass was cancerous and that she needed drastic facial surgery
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